Chapter One

'Miss Dawson? We're almost there, I'd advise you to pack up your belongings.'

Eve peered up from her phone, gazing out the window. She could just make out a large building peeking over the tops of the trees. She sighed, shoving her tablet and phone and grey denim jacket into her black, leather rucksack, leaving her in the red tank top and distressed black jeans she'd thrown on that morning. As she slumped back into the seat, this morning's conversation with her mother flooded her mind.

Flashback

'What do you mean I'll be living somewhere else? Why can't I stay here?!'

Her mother sighed, handing her daughter a plate of bacon, sausage, eggs and, beans and toast. 'It's not that you can't, it's that being here right now isn't…good for you…'

Eve sighed, pushing the toast off her plate and stabbing one of the sausages. 'Why? I'm attending therapy, I've been cleared by my coach to start my regular training regime again, what would sending me away do-'

Her mother turned around, slamming a glass of orange juice beside Eve's plate. 'Give you space to recover. The trial is six weeks away and you need to focus on your training if you're going to keep that title of yours. I've spoken to a friend of mine and he's willing to let you stay with him and his family for a while. He's sending a car to pick you up today, so I'd suggest you start packing.'

Eve slumped her shoulders, leaning back on the barstool. 'So that's it? I don't get a choice in the matter?'

Her mother approached her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, and placing a kiss on top of her head. 'Try to understand, Eve. I'm doing this for your own good. I wouldn't have agreed if I didn't think it was necessary…now, eat up and get yourself ready, please.'

End of Flashback

Eve shook her head, running a hand through her wavy, burgundy hair. Everything that morning had been a blur from packing her suitcase and getting into the limo that had pulled up to her house around midday. And yet, just glimpsing the house she would have to learn to call 'home' for the foreseeable future was enough to churn her stomach and make her heartbeat race.

'Maybe I shouldn't have eaten such a big breakfast today...'

The sudden stop of the car snapped her out of her daze, making her look up to see the driver exiting the car. Looking out the window, she was greeted with a gigantic iron gate wedged between two iron pillars, which were connected by a decorative arch with what looked like a family crest in the centre. It towered over her like a giant, but it was what lay beyond the gate that got her attention. Beyond the regal gardens that brimmed with sculpted bushes and rose bushes, an old mansion loomed, its ageing beige stone contrasting the dark tile roof. The windows resembled those found in ancient castles that once housed royalty, the dark glass almost spoiling the bright stone exterior. Who lived here? And how did her mother come to be friends with them?

The sudden cold splatter of rain on her shoulders pushed her to move through the gate and into the gardens. She ran through the gardens, heading towards a large wooden door and dragging her grey suitcase behind her. Once she was sheltered beneath its stone arch, she knocked the knocker on the door and waited. As time passed, she glanced around the gardens to take in the scene. Everything about this place seemed weird, and the oddly sculptured bushes and gargoyle sitting atop the centre fountain only made those suspicions worse.

'I hope it doesn't look as weird inside…'

After a few minutes, she reached to knock again. Just as her fingers ghosted the knocker, the door opened with a loud creak, making her jump back.

'Well, they've nailed the whole 'creepy haunted mansion' vibe…' Taking a deep breath, she strode through the door, the grip on her suitcase handle unusually tight. Once inside, the door closed behind her, echoing through the entrance hall before her and sending a rush of cold air into her back. After a minute of silence, she swallowed and called out to the empty space. 'Hello? Is anybody here?' Silence. She strode forward, the wheels on her suitcase breaking the heavy silence hanging over her as she approached the grand staircase. The glare of the chandelier forced her to cover her eyes as she called out once more. 'Hello? My name is Eve Dawson. I was sent here by a friend of yours. Hello?' She stopped, huffing and sitting on the bottom of the staircase. 'Maybe the driver dropped me off at the wrong place…maybe I should call mum-'

'Well, well, well, what do we have here? Has a human come to visit us?' A sultry voice echoed from behind her. Jumping up, she whipped her head around and caught sight of a boy, wearing a fedora and what looked like a school uniform, smirking at her. His emerald eyes stared through her as he leant against the right railing on the first floor, licking his lips. 'You smell divine, little bitch.'

'Excuse me?' Eve glared back, sneering at him. 'How dare you speak to me like that. Is that how you greet all your guests?'

He chuckled, wandering to the top of the staircase. 'You've got spirit, I like that in a woman…'

'What smells so good? Is it you?' Another voice rang out and she turned to find another boy who looked almost identical to the first, bar slightly lighter hair and eyes. His depraved smile sparked her instincts as he approached her, 'Why don't you let me have a taste?' He asked as he grabbed her wrist.

Eve scowled, glaring at him, punching him in the bridge of his nose and watching him stumble back. 'How does fuck off sound? Now, who the hell are you people?'

The boy at the top of the stairs laughed. 'My, my Ayato, fancy getting punched by prey, how humiliating…'

'Shut up, Laito!' Ayato shouted, marching back towards Eve with a bloody nose. 'How dare you hit Yours Truly! You will be punished for this!' He sneered, grabbing Eve by the throat and shoving her against the staircase. Eve glared, biting his hand and sending a jab into his stomach. As he stumbled back, she pushed herself upright, sending a roundhouse kick into his right cheek without hesitation and watching him fall and slump at the bottom of the stairs. As she rubbed her throat, he stood back up, growling as he glared into her hazel eyes. 'That was your last mistake. I'm gonna rip your throat out!' He screeched, running at her. Eve frowned, setting herself and preparing for his assault.

'What's going on here?' Both parties turned to find another man with dark purple hair and magenta eyes standing at the bottom left of the staircase with a displeased look on his face.

Eve stood tall, pointing at Ayato. 'He attacked me, and I defended myself, that's what happened, sir.'

The man pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. 'And who are you? More importantly, why have you entered this house?'

Eve frowned. 'I'm Eve Dawson, I've been sent here by a friend of yours and told that I would be living here for the foreseeable future. The car dropped me off about ten minutes ago and I knocked but the door opened by itself. I came in here looking for the owner of the house and then he jumped me.' She replied, turning and glaring at Ayato, whose nose was still dripping with blood.

The man hummed, his eyebrows furrowed, 'Odd, I wasn't informed of your arrival. Ayato, Laito, do you two have an explanation for this?'

Ayato huffed. 'How should I know? She never told us she was moving in here-'

Eve scoffed. 'Maybe if you hadn't attacked me, I would've had a chance to, idiot.'

The man scowled at Ayato. 'Ayato, it's highly improper to behave that way towards a guest. Laito, do you know what's going on?'

'Not a clue.' Laito replied, tipping his fedora to Eve. 'Although I was too distracted by little bitch over here…'

With a sigh, the man beckoned Eve with his hand. 'Please follow me, Miss Dawson. See that her luggage is taken care of, please.'

Eve frowned, turning to see a butler appear, who dragged her case off into one of the dark hallways. Shaking her head, she followed Reiji further into the mansion, Laito and Ayato following close behind.

Eve found herself sitting in what seemed to be the living room, though it was more grandiose than any she had seen before. It had two levels with a staircase leading to the top level, hardwood floors with a huge dark green rug at the centre upon which sat a sapphire blue sofa and chairs, one of which she was sitting on. The man, whose name was still a mystery, stood to the left of her while Ayato sat on the opposite chair and Laito on the sofa.

'Now, Eve, was it? Why don't you tell us how you came to be here…' The man asked, looking at her with firm eyes.

Eve ran a hand through her hair, sighing. 'I was told by my mum this morning that she had spoken to a friend of hers and that they had agreed that I would be living with him and his family for a while. She wrote the address down, here.' She handed the piece of paper to him, who examined it and hummed to himself, then handed it back to her.

'No doubt that's our address, but I still don't understand why I wasn't notified-'

'Why does it stink of human in here? Who dares disturb my sleep?!' Another voice, this one rougher and deeper, came out of nowhere.

Laito sighed waving his hand and snickering. 'You don't have to be shy, Subaru, just come out and say hello to our new friend.'

'I'm right here, pervert.' Everyone turned around to see another boy with off-white almost lavender hair and blood-red eyes, Subaru, who was standing at the edge of the room, leaning against one of the cabinets. 'Now, answer the question, mortal.'

Eve scoffed. 'How about you tell me where the fuck you appeared from?'

Subaru growled, smacking his fist against the wall. 'You will answer my question first!'

'Or what? You gonna hit me? I dare you to try.' She spat, scowling at Subaru and standing up from her chair.

Subaru growled, stomping over and getting in her face. He stared her out, locking eyes with her stubborn hazel eyes with his fist clenched. He could hear her racing heartbeat and smell the blood that was rushing through veins under her rosy skin. His dry throat burned to sink his fangs into her, show her how weak she was in comparison. Growling, he turned around and marched back to the wall, throwing his fists up in the air and cursing under his breath.

Eve smirked, turning back to the other man, who shook his head. 'You'll have to excuse his temper, he's volatile at best.'

She nodded, turning around to find another boy sitting in her seat. She blinked, taking in the sight of a fifth boy with deep purple eyes and matching hair, clutching a teddy bear tightly. She tilted her head. 'Where did you come from?'

'You smell delicious…' He whispered, taking her hand and sniffing her wrist. 'Like candy…'

She snatched her wrist away, smiling awkwardly. 'Thanks, I think.'

The man let out a deep sigh and shook his head. 'Please control yourself, Kanato. Now, can any of you tell me why this young woman has come to live with us?'

They all shook their heads, while Eve stood there, shifting from foot to foot and not knowing what to say.

'Maybe she's the woman he told me about…' The soft voice came out of nowhere and had all of them looking around with frowns on their faces.

With an exasperated sigh, the man turned around, staring up at the top floor of the room. 'Is that you, Shu?'

'Who else would it be?' The groggy voice replied.

The man sighed louder and shook his head, scowling at the top floor of the room. Eve followed his gaze, where she could just make out a blonde-haired boy lying on a couch with an arm behind his head. And...were those headphones she could see?

The man's eyebrows twitched as he spoke. 'If you know something, stop wasting all of our time and say it.'

Shu grunted, turning his head slightly. 'That guy contacted me the other day, said we'd have a new guest arriving and that we should welcome her and treat her with respect. Oh, and he specifically told me that we aren't to kill her under any circumstances.'

Laito chuckled, teleporting behind Eve and whispering in her ear. 'Well, it looks like we're going to be together for a long time, doesn't it, little bitch?'

Eve frowned, moving out of his reach and turning to the man next to her. 'What does he mean 'we aren't supposed to kill her under any circumstances'?'

Smirking, the man pushed his glasses up his nose. 'It appears there's no mistake, Miss Dawson, so please allow me to introduce ourselves…' He pointed to Shu, 'That is the eldest son, Shu Sakamaki…' he then placed a hand on his chest. 'My name is Reiji and I am the second son.' Next, he gestured to Ayato, Laito and Kanato. 'These are the triplets, Ayato, Laito and Kanato…'

Ayato smirked. 'I won't let you escape next time…'

Laito winked at her. 'Pleasure to make your acquaintance, little bitch.'

Kanato smiled, tilting his head. 'We're going to be best friends…'

Reiji then turned, pointing at Subaru. 'And this is the youngest son, Subaru.'

Subaru growled, grinding his teeth. 'This is a waste of time.'

Eve rolled her eyes. 'Glad to know you're happy I'm here, Subaru. Now…' She turned back to Reiji. 'What did Shu mean when he said you're not supposed to kill me?'

They all smiled at her, and the air in the room became thicker. Colder. Eve's heart began to thump, making her legs tense and her fists tighten. She began to gently remove her backpack, keeping her eye on the entourage of brothers. As the strap slid off her shoulder, she winced as one of the buckles caught her arm, a small sliver of blood running down it. She licked her thumb, wiping her arm clean. 'Stupid thing, it always gets caught…' She paused, catching a glimpse of the brothers. Their eyes gleamed with desire as they stared at her arm.

Reiji sighed, taking a step towards her. 'You seem to be an intelligent woman, tell me, what monster can appear out of nowhere and feeds on blood, Miss Dawson?'

She raised her eyebrows. 'That's easy, a vampire…wait…you're telling me that you're all vampires? Nice try, but I'm not falling for that-'

She stared wide-eyed as Subaru appeared in front of her. He grabbed her arm, turning her to face him and bearing his fangs. 'Do these look fake to you?! Go on! Touch them and see for yourself!'

She tentatively reached out. Her eyes went wide as her thumbs glanced over the solid, sharp pairs of pointed teeth that stuck out of his top and bottom row of teeth. 'They are real…'

Subaru stepped back, and Reiji stared into Eve's eyes. 'Do you understand now? Whatever the reason you were sent here, you are now to become our prey, our source of food. If you try to escape or resist us, you will be punished. Since we have been instructed not to kill you, that likely means that you'll one day be a prospective bride, so I advise you not to anger us, antagonise us, or disobey us if you want your life here to be bearable.'

Eve stared around the room, taking in each boy, and their fangs. They all waited for her to scream, cry, try to run. It seemed like forever before she finally responded.

'I understand…'